On the 13th of September, the European Parliament adopted the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, marking a step towards more sustainable aviation in Europe.
Now definitively adopted, the ReFuel EU Aviation Regulation includes mandatory shares of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to be available at airports, starting at 2% of overall fuel supplied by 2025 and reaching 70% by 2050. It also includes mandatory renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) sub-quotas of 1.2% in 2030 all the way to 35% in 2050. The deal also modifies the scope of eligible fuels considered under the SAF definition (including recycled carbon fuels and non-fossil low-carbon fuels).
This regulation is a crucial part of the ‘Fit-for-55’ package, aligned with the EU’s commitment to a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and a reduction in fossil fuel imports, strengthening Europe’s sustainability efforts.
Against this context, the TAKE-OFF project aims to improve the aviation CO₂-based SAF production chain’s overall efficiency and ultimately contribute to achieving aviation neutrality and a circular economy in view of 2050. The project plans to develop a next-generation Power-to-SAF process which converts renewable hydrogen and captured CO₂ to a class of hydrocarbons called light olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, which then need to be subsequently converted into the final jet fuel through further reactions. For this process, a key parameter is using substances such as solvents and catalysts to control and facilitate the chemical reactions.
More on the ReFuel EU Aviation Regulation here.
